2. Production of an Animation Film
The production pipeline of a typical animated short
or a movie can be divided into three stages :
• pre-production
• production
• post-production.
In this article i will be discussing these three key
stages in detail.
3. 1. Pre - Production of an Animation Film
The first process in the animation pipeline, and also one
of the most important. It begins with the main concepts
which are initially turned into a full story, and then, once
the story has been finalized, other things such as the
script, shot sequence and camera angles are worked on.
Some major components of pre production are
• Story Boarding
• Layouts
• Model Sheets
• Animatics
4. Story Boarding
The Storyboard helps to finalize the development of the
storyline, and is an essential stage of the animation process. It is
made up of drawings in the form of a comic strip, and is used to
both help visualize the animation and to communicate ideas
clearly. Not only can storyboards be especially useful when
working in group environments
(something quite common in the
animation industry,) but they
also provide a visual reminder of
the original plan, for referral
throughout the production.
5. Layouts
Once the storyboards have been approved, they are sent to the layout
department which then works closely with the director to design the locations
and costumes. With this done they begin to stage the scenes, showing the
various characters’ positions throughout the course of each shot.
Model Sheets
Model sheets are precisely drawn groups of pictures that show all of the
possible expressions that a character can make, and all of the many different
poses that they could adopt. These sheets are created in order to both
accurately maintain character detail and to keep the designs of the characters
uniform whilst different animators are working on them across several shots.
6. Sample of Model Sheet
Animatics
In order to give a better idea of the motion and timing of complex animation
sequences and VFX-heavy scenes, the pre-visualization department within the
VFX studio creates simplified mock-ups called “Animatics” shortly after the
storyboarding process.
These help the Director plan how they will go about staging the above
sequences, as well as how visual effects will be integrated into the final shot.
7. 2. Production of an Animation Film
Now that the storyboard has been approved the project
enters the production phase. It’s here that the actual
work can start, based on the guidelines established
during preproduction.
Some major parts are
• Layout
• Modeling
• Texturing
• Lighting
• Rigging
• Animation
8. Layout
Using lo-res models or blocks of geometry in the place of the final set and
characters, the Layout Artist is responsible for composing the shot and
delivering rough animation to the animators as a guide. What they produce is
the 3D version of what the storyboard artists had previously drawn on paper.
During this stage the Director approves camera moves, depth of field and the
composition of the models making up the set and set dressing. It is then the
responsibility of the Modeling department to deliver these approved set, prop
and character models in the final layout stages.
9. Modelling
Modelers are usually split into two or more departments. Whilst organic
modelers tend to have a sculpture background and specialize in building the
characters and other freeform surfaces, hard-surface modelers often have a
more industrial design or architectural background, and as such they model
the vehicles, weapons, props and buildings. Once the model is approved, it
will be made available to the rigging and texture paint departments, who
complete the final stages in preparing
the model for animation and rendering.
With luck, the model will move through
the production pipeline without coming
back for modeling fixes, although some
amount of fixes are inevitable –
problems with models sometimes don’t
appear until the rendering stage, in
which case the lighter will send the
model back to be fixed.
11. Texturing
Whether creating a texture
from scratch or through
editing an existing image,
Texturing Artists are
responsible for writing
shaders and painting textures
as per the scene
requirements. Working hand-in-
hand with the surfacing
and shading departments,
textures are painted to match
the approved concept art and
designs.
12. Lighting
Not only does a Lighting Artist have to think lighting the individual scenes,
they also have to consider how to bring together all of the elements that have
been created by the other departments. In most companies, lighting TDs
combine the latest version of the animation, the effects, the camera moves,
the shaders and textures into the final scenes, and render out an updated
version every day.
Lighters have a broad range of responsibilities, including placing lights,
defining light properties, defining how light interacts with different types of
materials, the qualities and complexities of the realistic textures involved,
how the position and intensity of lights affect mood and believability, as well
as color theory and harmony. They are required to establish direct and
reflected lighting and shadows for each assigned shot, ensuring that each shot
fits within the continuity of a sequence, all the while aiming to fulfill the vision
of the Directors, Production Designers, Art Directors and VFX Supervisors.
13. Rigging
Rigging is the process of adding
bones to a character or
defining the movement of a
mechanical object, and it’s
central to the animation
process. A character TD will
make test animations showing
how a creature or character
appears when deformed into
different poses, and based on
the results corrective
adjustments are often made.
The rigging department is also
involved in developing cloth
simulation.
14. Animation
The practice of meticulously planning a character’s performance frame by
frame is applied in 3D graphics using the same basic principles and aesthetic
judgments that were first developed for 2D and stop-motion animation.
The effects team also produce elements such as smoke, dust, water and
explosions, although development on these aspects does not start until the
final animation/lighting has been approved as they are integral to the final
shot and often computationally heavy.
15. 3. Post - Production of an Animation Film
Post-production is the third and final step in film creation,
and it refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed
after the filming or shooting ends. These include the editing
of raw footage to cut scenes together, inserting transitional
effects, working with voice and sound actors and dubbing to
name just a few of the many post-production tasks.
Overall, however, the three main phases of post-production
are
• compositing
• sound editing
• video editing
16. Composting
The compositing department brings together all of the 3D elements produced
by the previous departments in the pipeline, to create the final rendered
image ready for film! Compositors take rendered images from lighters and
sometimes also start with compositing scripts that TDs develop in order to
initially comp together their dailies (working versions of the shot).
17. Sound Editing
This department is responsible for selecting and assembling the sound
recordings in preparation for the final sound mix, ensuring lip sync and adding
all of the sound effects required for the final film.
Video Editing
Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging shots to create a
seamless final product, and it is at this stage that any unwanted footage and
scenes are removed. Editing is a crucial step in making sure the video flows in
a way which achieves the initial goal. Other tasks include titling and adding
any effects to the final video and text.
18. Ice Age, Up, Rio, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Madagascar
etc. are recent examples of 3D Animation Feature Films
19. Animation Industry
• The rapid advancement of technology has made
computer animation available to the masses and the
animation industry is one of the fastest growing
industries.
• The demand for animated entertainment has
expanded with the increase in broadcasting hours by
cable and satellite TV along with the growing
popularity of the Internet.
• Animated series/films can now be enjoyed not only
by kids but the family on the whole.
20. Thank You
Submitted By
Name : Aakash Gupta
Class : 7C-123(C2)
Roll No. : 06914802710
